OBD for new Vue?

[Greenbay]

My wife and I are seriously looking at a new '05/'06 AWD Vue. I have been looking around here and found some really good info, but I have not been able to determine the diagnostics series yet?

Are these still OBDII or have these moved on to the new CAN protocol?

I currently have a basic Harbor Freight OBDII scanner for my '98 Chev full size, but there can always be a reason to upgrade! :D

[Ghostrider]

I suppose if you're looking at a AWD that it is a V6. The 04+ V6 Vues have a Honda engine/transmission and ECU. I wonder if it speaks GM or Honda to the outside world.:dizzy:

[dogturd21]

Search the Net for 'Digimoto'. They have a hardware device called MOByDic or something like that, which in conjuction with their software can work with ALL cars sold in the USA, including VPW, CAN and PWC formats. I think the Vue 3.5 V6 is VPW format, but not sure....

The only drawback is that their Pocket PC software version does not yet support MobyDIC, only the laptop version. To use Pocket PC, you need individual OBD adapters. Good product, also inexpensive.

[Greenbay]

Yes, you are right Ghostrider. It is the V6. We would prefer the 4 for gas milage, but it is unavailable with AWD, and my good southern wife still has not gotten used to driving in Wisconsin snow.

I knew GM has been outsourcing the Honda engine since about '03/'04, but was unaware that the transmission came along for the ride. Makes sense though.

I'll look into the Digimoto too dogturd21. Thanks!

[bigc791]

The vue is still OBD 2 and regardless of manufacture the car will still use the same protocall to basic information. Its a US Law
Carmen

[dogturd21]

The vue is still OBD 2 and regardless of manufacture the car will still use the same protocall to basic information. Its a US Law
Carmen

Well, it is still OBD2, but as for the protocol I believe they are different: There is CAN, VPW, PWM and two versions of ISO. CAN is the newest I think, and stands for controller area network: it is also used in some specialized computers (CAD/CAM) and industrial equipment. GM's tend to use VPW across the board, but Hondas generally use ISO, and I think the VUE 3.5 V6 uses ISO, but I am not certain. The OBD2 connectors for all versions are compatable with other versions, so the same male plug will fit, but you might not get all the signal leads.

Here is a link for OBD2 connectors and types:
http://www.digimoto.com/which_of_the_three_obd.htm
Here is a link for OBD2 types, but it is a little dated:
http://www.digimoto.com/confirmedobd.htm#honda

As for the actual protocol on the wire, most of them are different: I have decoded CAN packets at work, and they are nothing like ISO, but those are the only two versions I have looked at. One of the things on the Digimoto MobyDIC device is that it takes a while to figure out which protocol it is using during device startup, but it does it automagically. I bet it is an amazing piece of programming in that device. I think the guy that developed it is in Norway or some Scandinavian country.

[hemken]

I know that the ion uses can but not sure about the vue.

[baisley]

My 03 Vue's use the CAN protocal. You need a pretty $$$ reader to pull out the info. The last ones I priced were aprox $175.00 and up

[bigc791]

My 03 Vue's use the CAN protocal. You need a pretty $$$ reader to pull out the info. The last ones I priced were aprox $175.00 and up
Vue is old School class 2 unless you get an 04 then the radio and onstar are on lan while everything is else is still class 2
Carmen

[RobertGary1]

My wife and I are seriously looking at a new '05/'06 AWD Vue. I have been looking around here and found some really good info, but I have not been able to determine the diagnostics series yet?

Are these still OBDII or have these moved on to the new CAN protocol?

I currently have a basic Harbor Freight OBDII scanner for my '98 Chev full size, but there can always be a reason to upgrade! :D

It is OBDII but, sadly, is a Honda computer, not GM. If you are like me, and own a GM computer interface, it will only gather the OBDII info. You will not be able to get it ABS, Airbag, Body, codes etc, just SMOG stuff. That's still 10 times more than a basic Autozone scanner but not as much as you probably really want.

-Robert

[RobertGary1]

Well, it is still OBD2, but as for the protocol I believe they are different: There is CAN, VPW, PWM and two versions of ISO. CAN is the newest I think, and stands for controller area network: it is also used in some specialized computers (CAD/CAM) and industrial equipment. GM's tend to use VPW across the board, but Hondas generally use ISO, and I think the VUE 3.5 V6 uses ISO, but I am not certain. The OBD2 connectors for all versions are compatable with other versions, so the same male plug will fit, but you might not get all the signal leads.

Here is a link for OBD2 connectors and types:
http://www.digimoto.com/which_of_the_three_obd.htm
Here is a link for OBD2 types, but it is a little dated:
http://www.digimoto.com/confirmedobd.htm#honda

As for the actual protocol on the wire, most of them are different: I have decoded CAN packets at work, and they are nothing like ISO, but those are the only two versions I have looked at. One of the things on the Digimoto MobyDIC device is that it takes a while to figure out which protocol it is using during device startup, but it does it automagically. I bet it is an amazing piece of programming in that device. I think the guy that developed it is in Norway or some Scandinavian country.
THe 04+ V6 Vues are VPW.

[baisley]

I spent $110.00 for actron OBD2 reader and it doesnt work on an 03 vue. Research will show you that the 03 an up use the new GM CAN Protocal. There are third party software and readers available. You may be able to get some real basic error code on OBDII but I can personally tell you that I didnt.

The more advance codes will be available via a CAN compatible reader. Or if you have the big $$$ a Tech 2 reader for a grand !

[feistycapn]

I'm seriously considering Scanguage (http://www.scangauge.com/)

There is a compatibility table on their site that indicates very broad compatibility . It automatically figures out the right protocol to use.

Even has trip computer functions which I miss on my 06 Vue.

[dogturd21]

I'm seriously considering Scanguage (http://www.scangauge.com/)

There is a compatibility table on their site that indicates very broad compatibility . It automatically figures out the right protocol to use.

Even has trip computer functions which I miss on my 06 Vue.

The Scangauge is nice for trip computer purposes, but lacks a wide range of features found on even the cheapest OBD2 adapter / sw for a laptop. One of the things I have found about most OBD2 software is that it lacks trip computer functionality; Scangauge seems to be built for the primary purpose of trip computer, and the other few features added in....

Now, one of the things about the Digimoto software and MOByDic adapter is that the adapter can use a wide range of software from many sources, some even free! The software from Digimoto is only about $35-40 by itself. So I imagine that somebody has software that can do trip computer functions. I asked the main designer at Digimoto if he has trip computer functions planned (specifically MPG readings) and he said 'nothing now, and nothing planned, but it depends on customer demand'. That is the thing I like about Digimoto- great customer service from the main programmer himself.

[sspeer]

The Scangauge is a great multipurpose tool.

It gives instant, current trip, current day, and previous day MPG

It can display the max RPM, max temp, max speed, and some other items for current trip, day, or previous day

It will read every error code

It will reset the error codes

It has realtime gauges: MPG, MPH, RPM, Water Temp, Throttle Position, Engine Load, and a few others than OBDII reports

It automatically senses protocols, which is tricky in the VUE as it uses 2 (starts with one, then switches..but Scangauge to their credit was quick to resolve it)

It's an all in one unit..no laptop to worry about

You can switch it easily from car to car

Only downside: kinda ugly..it's beauty is skin deep

[IMkenNY]

Is the scanguage able to read ABS codes?
Thank you, Ken